Help BLEEB choose a new bag!

bleeb

Lifer
Feb 3, 2000
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ATOT people,

I'm going to be riding the bus/train into downtown for school and so I'd like to get a new highly functional, stylish, robust, and comfortable bag that I'll be able to carry around a textbook, some notebooks, writing instruments, cell phone, keys, mp3 player, umbrella and a water bottle. If you have any recommendations, please post a suggestion and link to product. If you have a bag that you highly recommend, please list it.

I'm considering all types, and styles (conventional, messenger, travel bags, hiking bags, etc). I'd like to keep the price lower than $150.

For the REPOST Police, I did a search for "bags" and didn't come up with much. Plus I think this is a good thread since many of us are going back to school soon.

Conventional Bags:
PROS:
- Easy on back and shoulders since weight is evenly distributed.
CONS:
- Not as stylish as the messenger bag.
The North Face
Targus CVR600
Booq Bags
Mountainsmith Bags

Messenger Bags:
PROS:
- Stylish.
- Easy on and off.
CONS:
- Bad if you walk around too much.
Timbuk2
Manhattanportage
Kenneth Cole Buckle Up bag
Jack Spade (a little too metro sexual for me)
 

Injury

Lifer
Jul 19, 2004
13,066
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Style should have LITTLE to do with the selection of a bag. Yeah, you don't want to look like you picked it up at SalArmy or Walmart, but in the end comfort and durability and the ability to protect your stuff are what matter.

What good is a nice looking bag if it only lasts a year, hurts you to carry it, or doesn't snuggly hold your valuables.


 

bleeb

Lifer
Feb 3, 2000
10,868
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Originally posted by: mpitts
I have a Timbuk2 bag and I think it is great. Highly recommended.

Anything negative or any problems that you've had with the bag? Anything... no matter how small or big.

What are the pros and cons of the bag?
 

bleeb

Lifer
Feb 3, 2000
10,868
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Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Conventional bag for shore

Yeah right now I'm leaning toward a conventional backpack... but the question is, which one?
 

bonkers325

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
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Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
http://www.manhattanportage.com

/thread.

:beer: to Zim!

they make good messenger bags :)

i bought a red Flight Series backpack from North Face last week. it will satisfy all of your needs, $45. its big enough to fit a few notebooks, phone/mp3 player, water bottles and umbrellas, etc. its not TOO spacious, im not sure you can fit a laptop in there (not comfortably anyway) but you can definitely fit a textbook + some notebooks.

>> North Face's website isnt loading for me, ill link you later if possible
 

raptor13

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Kenneth Cole Reaction "Buckle Up"

I have that bag (it's sitting right here next to me, actually) and it is fantastic. It's extremely comfortable, extremely elegant and attractive, and very functional. The main pocket is big enough for a couple text books, some notebooks, and is wide enough to stash a water bottle in with the books. There are inside (under the flap) and outside document pockets as well which work wonderfully for loose sheets or another notebook. There's also a pen holder in the inner document pocket and a cell phone pocket on the outside end, easily accesible when the bag is on your shoulder.

It's a great bag, I love it, and more than a few have complimented it. Good stuff. :thumbsup:
 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: bleeb
Originally posted by: mpitts
I have a Timbuk2 bag and I think it is great. Highly recommended.

Anything negative or any problems that you've had with the bag? Anything... no matter how small or big.

What are the pros and cons of the bag?

I'm on my second Timbuk2 (the first was in my car when it was stolen). Both have been Bolo bags (i.e., a Size Large bag).

I used my first Timbuk2 daily throughout 3 years of law school, plus about 4 years of various other duty. I used to carry my Timbuk 2 on one shoulder, full of about 20-25 pounds of law books, and my laptop bag on the other shoulder. It never, ever tore or wore through (or even showed any wear or scuffing of any kind). Interestingly, my Samsonite laptop case, which had about half the use and was bearing less than half the weight, was pretty much destroyed.

I like my new Bolo Bag (which I've had for about 6 years now) even better. It's pumpkin with a navy panel in the middle (I was trying to replicate the paint job on Eddy Merckx's bike. Actually it's sitting right here in my office, and looks brand new after 6 years.

Pros:

Flexible, huge carrying space, so you can carry anything from a bunch of books to two bowling balls to a case of beer.

Effectively unbreakable and will not wear much even with heavy use

Completely waterproof if not submerged

Allows you to access items inside without taking it off

Comfortable to carry and centers well on your back as long as you use the cross-strap

Handmade in the USA

Great customer service

Looks cool (IMO) and can be custom-made to your specs

Cons:

Flexible, huge carrying space means that items will tend to shift

Can be uncomfortable to carry if not properly loaded

Not especially cheap

If you elect to go with a messenger bag, definitely consider a Timbuk2. If you go with a T2, make sure to get the Cordura (nylon) model as opposed to the waxed cotton (if they even make those anymore).
 

bleeb

Lifer
Feb 3, 2000
10,868
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If I go with a messenger bag, I'm considering the Timbuk2... some of my other friends recommend it too.

I'm worried about the Kenneth Cole one because I'll be out in the rainy weather of Portland Oregon so water proof/resistance is a big factor.
 

raptor13

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,719
0
76
Originally posted by: bleeb
If I go with a messenger bag, I'm considering the Timbuk2... some of my other friends recommend it too.

I'm worried about the Kenneth Cole one because I'll be out in the rainy weather of Portland Oregon so water proof/resistance is a big factor.

The Kenneth bag isn't real leather so it's quite resilient. They make real leather bags in the same (or similar, at any rate) styles but those are much more expensive, of course. I haven't had problem with water being bad for my bag yet. I take it with me all the time when I'm on my motorcycle and the bag has been rained on many times as a result. I've had the thing for almost a year now and it still looks and feels brand new.

It does look like leather, however. The thing is great. :heart: